All signs point to us having this - without sounding too confident/arrogant.

I think Allegri understands the rigours of European competition much, much better this year. On top of that the squad has really gelled and I think we're regaining that 'BGP' status when it comes to the European stage. We showed up against Barcelona and, on different nights, could have come away with wins.

We will need some luck though, there's no doubt about that. We need to keep all our key players fit and good to go. A single player down - a Nesta, Silva or Ibra, Pato - and we're in trouble. It happened last year against Tottenham and we paid the price.

Very happy we drew Arsenal and not Chelsea but I do wonder what kind of tomfoolery is going on at UEFA. Seems like it will forever be Italy vs England... while Spain seems to skip by. Oh well.

Agreed. Having them is like having 10 players. Might as well start without a proper holding mid at all.

Aquilani, Seedorf, Nocerino
Boateng

Seedorf is capable of being a proper mid. I hope he can do it against Arsenal. That midfield seems like our best if all are in form that game. In Champions League Seedorf surely will. So this midfield is my choice. Seedorf offers more attacking and playmaking skills than Van Bommel. And against and since that game against Spurs, Seedorf has proven himself in that position.